Calgary 
From the Rockies to the foothills, the river valleys, badlands, and prairies are several southern Alberta towns with their own unique charm, attractions, and summer events.
For live events and festivals in these towns and villages, you will find a mix of rodeo and western events, cultural celebrations, fairs and midways, live music, and outdoor sports. Many of these events are ticketed, but you can plan around free attractions like historical downtown walking tours, Provincial Parks (for picnics, beaches, or hikes), and natural attractions.
Alberta’s south portion (south of Calgary) is a lot smaller than it is in the north, so you can likely stop at a few of these southern Alberta towns in one road trip – or hit them all!
Warner
As one of Alberta’s southernmost villages, Warner’s summer weather alone might make you want to visit soon. If you can make it for the summer, you can take advantage of several family-friendly activities and events, like the 55th annual Writing-on-Stone Rodeo.
The Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park is a short drive away from town, too, and offers unique badlands views, hiking, camping, and activities on the Milk River.
- Visit Warner for the Writing-on-Stone Rodeo.
- Paddle the Milk River and enjoy incredibly unique views of Alberta.
- Stop by the Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Museum, the first discovered dinosaur nesting site in Canada for indoor and outdoor exploration.
Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Museum
Fort Macleod
You can travel through history by several means when you get to Fort Macleod, and take your pick from natural history, cultural history, or even through a walk downtown (which you might recognize from a few big movies). To get the most out of the natural areas around Fort Macleod, like the Oldman River, you can drive about 5-minutes outside of town to find the Provincial Recreation Area, or Park Lake Provincial Park.
- Head to Main Street on Thursdays this summer for Fort Macleod’s Market on Main.
- Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump for an interpretive walk around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, grab a bite at the Buffalo Jump Café, and tour the Visitor’s Centre/Gift Shop.
- Travel through time in Fort Macleod with a visit to The Fort Museum & First Nations Interpretive Centre.
- Cast fishing rods from the Oldman Dam PRA for excellent southern Alberta fishing, or launch a canoe/kayak.
Vulcan
The replica Starship Enterprise is a noticeable symbol for the town of Vulcan, as is their bronze statue of Spock/Leonard Nimoy. The town of Vulcan, and their willingness to go along with the Star Trek themes, are reason enough alone to visit. You can walk around town and find odes to the sci-fi franchise almost at every turn. However, there are many other reasons to check out this smaller town east of Calgary.
It is a perfect place to stay, as well, for anyone wanting to book an Aspen Crossing train excursion.
- Explore the various odes to Star Trek around Vulcan; you’ll find small one, and some that are quite obvious.
- Download the OnThisSpot app for a virtual historic walking tour of Vulcan.
- Visit the Vulcan Museum and Archives year-round for even more history and culture.
Vulcan Tourism
Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek is in the southwest corner of Alberta, but not so far west that the town is in the Rockies. Instead, Pincher Creek has the prairies, foothills, and mountains as a backdrop to their southern town, making the scenery alone a reason to visit. And throughout summer, there are many ways to explore and learn more about the town with trips to the Pioneer Village, Heritage Acres, or the various summer festivals. And with all the great outdoors at your actual back door in Pincher Creek, you can swim, hike, boat, and fish.
- Plan a trip to the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village for August 6th when they host their Summer Shindig.
- Catch a Summer Balcony Concert at the historic Lebel Mansion, now owned by the Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek.
- Explore Alberta’s rich farming history at Heritage Acres.
- Dust off your cowboy boots for the Pincher Creek Rodeo on August 18-21.
Elkwater
The lakeside town of Elkwater is at the heart of Alberta’s side of Cypress Hills Provincial Park. The small village is a southern Alberta beach escape, with a lodge overlooking the water, and several campsites in the area. And if the beach isn’t attractive, the Cypress Hills supply seemingly endless stretches of trails for bikers and hikers and offers some unique wild and plant life to view and photograph.
- Plan a beach day: there are two large beach areas here perfect for a summer picnic.
- Launch inflatable boats, canoes, or kayaks onto the small lake.
- Stay the weekend at Elkwater Lake Lodge and live the lake life for a bit.
- Watch the extreme bike race of the Battle Creek Showdown on August 27, and stay for the party.
Taber
The name of Taber, whether you’ve visited or not, probably rings a bell as they are famous for the corn harvested here. They celebrate the corn each year as well, with the end-of-summer Cornfest. Many come to Taber for the river location, as well, with the Oldman River and its slower flow being perfect for canoers, kayakers, and SUPers.
- Learn all about their famous corn in the most fun way possible: with Cornfest August 25-27.
- Embark on a Freak Fishin’ Tour on the South Saskatchewan River with their jetboat adventures.
- Shop the summer markets in both Taber and Vauxhall.
- Cool off at the Vauxhall outdoor pool.
- Launch onto the Oldman River with your canoe or kayak from the Taber Municipal Park & Campground.
High River
You can visit High River for a variety of getaway types: you can keep it all in town and enjoy local shopping, dining, and even a drive-in movie! The Highwood River runs along the northwest side of town and is a popular fishing river. There are riverside parks on the edge of town where you can start a water adventure like boating or floating, set up a picnic, or enjoy the nature trails.
- Go for a family walk and birdwatching adventure at Frank Lake, where migratory birds of all kinds vacation for the summer.
- Explore the local dining with Rock-a-Doodles Chicken, Sally’s Bar & Grill, or Foxes Den Restaurant. View all your local High River food options here.
- Watch an outdoor movie at the Sunset Drive-in Theatre, where part of all ticket sales is donated to local charities.
- Featuring balloons from around the world, there will be lots to see in the skies over High River during Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival.
Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival
Turner Valley
Surround yourself with endless rolling foothills and the distant views of the Rockies by making a trip to Turner Valley this summer. The southwest town is a short drive from Calgary and Okotoks, as well all the outdoor recreation possibilities to the west.
Surrounding Turner Valley is beautiful Natural/Provincial Areas like Threepoint Creek, the Bluerock Wildland, and Sheep River. The Sheep River extends east to Turner Valley and runs along its eastern border.
- Visit Turner Valley Gas Plant, a Provincial Historic Resource and a National Historic Site. This was Western Canada’s first commercial oilfield and processing plant.
- Try an excursion with Full Circle Adventures and their several guided walks/hikes.
- Glamp right off Main Street with Meska Outdoors.
- Hike the nearest mountain trailsoff Highway AB-546.
- Taste traditional German beer brewed in Alberta.
Nanton
The southwest Alberta town of Nanton is in a beautiful location at the start of the foothills and the western edge of the prairies. The town itself is just as nice to look at, with their historic and restored downtown at the centre. Learn about Nanton’s history with a walk downtown or take the experience further at the town’s local museums.
- Tour Nanton’s unique museums this summer: the Bomber Command Museum, a Museum of Miniatures, or the Grain Elevator Discovery Centre.
- Attend a Nite Rodeo on Fridays in the Summer.
- Enjoy a round of traditional, 18-hole golf at the beautiful Nanton Golf Club, or Disc Golf right in town.
- About a 10-minute drive from town, Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage has a diverse collection of historic buildings, garden paths, and over 18 perennial gardens.
Credit: Bomber Command Museum of Canada
Brooks
Families can have a lot of fun Brooks this summer, which is about halfway between Calgary and Medicine Hat on Highway 1. Brooks and surrounding Newell County offer families and any other road trip buddies educational experiences, local dining, and outdoor recreation with the help of nearby Provincial Parks. Within a 30-minute drive in any direction from Brooks, you can see badlands, lakes, rivers, and prairies. The closest lake, Lake Newell, is large and warm, with a Provincial area for boaters, swimmers, and winter activities.
- Visit the enormous engineered concrete structure that is Brooks Aqueduct.
- Get lost in Brooks Corn Maze.
- Drive north of Brooks to visit the iconic Dinosaur Provincial Park: there are trails and fossils to explore, and ample space for picnics.
- Attend a live music event on the patio of the local Piston Broke Brewing.
- Book a camping trip for Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, and spend a few days getting to know Brooks.
Cardston
Planning a summer trip to Cardston works well with August coming up: the community calendar is packed full of local events, a summer market, and live theatre. Cardston can easily fill a summer weekend with the local fun including a carriage ride at Remington Carriage Museum, but also from the town’s short distance from St. May’s Reservoir, as well as the start to the southern foothills.
- Enjoy a live production of The Little Mermaid or Little Women, from the local Carriage House Theatre.
- Atten the Cardston Heritage Days Rodeo & Mud Bog that will feature a Pow Wow, classic car parade, and more (August 5-6, 2022).
- Bring the boat! St. Mary’s Reservoir is perfect for tubing and waterskiing, fishing, or a paddle.
- Go on whitewater rafting and kayaking, or guided fishing tours with Incept Adventure Company
Okotoks
There are several reasons to make time this summer to see Okotoks with the town’s thriving arts and culture scene, a beautiful downtown to easily tour on foot or bike, upcoming outdoor concerts, and the abundance of riverside trails. The Sheep River runs through Okotoks, and provides the town with not just trails, but several parks as well, where you can picnic or relax for the day.
- View more than 500 unique cars, trucks and motorcycles during Okotoks Show & Shine.
- Visit the Chinook Honey Company on the west end of Okotoks where you can learn about their honey and mead, shop at the country store, or attend a workshop.
- Pack some golf clubs! The foothill landscape of Okotoks makes for beautiful and challenging courses. Crystal Ridge also offers mini golf.
- Visit the Okotoks Erratic, a unique and prominent geological feature a short drive west of town.
- Spice up your weekend with chilli sampling, children’s activities, live music, and an outdoor artisan street market on August 27th
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